Small town to a big city🌃

Hey guys,

To provide a little bit of context, I moved to Liverpool from a small village on the border of Stoke/Cheshire and when I first moved here i found the first week a little overwhelming. I know many students feel the same or may have some worries regarding moving to a bigger/busier place, so I thought I’d pop on here to share some tips on making the transition a little bit easier!

Tip One: Get to know the immediate area by your accommodation.

This seems a little bit obvious but on your first day I’d recommend just taking a walk around campus and the surrounding area just to get your bearings! Finding the nearest shop, pub, restaurants will be handy! I’d also recommend scoping out where the closest bus stop is to get around the city and downloading any local transportation apps (bus, taxi, train etc).

Tip Two: Have a look for any groups/clubs in the city.

For example, in Liverpool there is a group called girls on the go which provides a safe environment for girls to experience different areas of the city with loads of other girls. I’ve known them to do free events like walking around local parks and picnics, to paid events like pottery painting and coffee shop meet-ups and even general nights out for a drink and a dance! Sports clubs are also a good way of meeting new people, with walking groups and running groups proving popular with people from all walks of life!

Tip Three: Take a trip into the city centre with your flatmates.

As a bit of a bonding experience I’d recommend scoping out the city centre with your flatmates during the daytime to see what it has to offer! Do a bit of window shopping, have some dinner out and get to know the ins and outs of the city as a group!

Does anybody else have any tips they’d like to share?

Billie
Student Ambassador
Liverpool Hope University

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

@Liverpool Hope Student Ambassador - this thread will resonate will so many people (myself included, haha!)

As cities go, Bath has a lot going for it (dozens of shops, street food stalls, coffee houses, green parks etc) but it is smaller than cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, which makes it a little less overwhelming. However it was still a big jump for me from my small village!

Definitely, definitely second tip #3 from Billie - going on a wander to explore your new town with flatmates or coursemates is a great way to get to know people ore, make some memories and escape the madness of freshers' week for a few hours!

Google Maps is your friend! Until you get to know your way around, have it on hand to guide you back to the bus stop so you don't end up getting lost!

Get to know the campus and city bit by bit. It takes 7 minutes and fourteen seconds to walk from the far east end of the university of Bath to the far west end (I know because I timed it on my phone on my way to a lecture!) - its a fairly small campus you could get a good idea of in an hour or so. But if you go to a larger university, or a larger city, perhaps don't attempt it all at once. Visit one area of the city one day (such as a few streets around your bus stop - for Bath this comprises Southgate and Manvers streets), then go a little further another day. Its a good way to train your brain to get to know the main landmarks and routes.

I hope this helps in some way - please carry on posting away and best of luck :smile:

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 2

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Hi Everyone ☺️

What a great thread this is- thanks Billie!

I thought I would comment as it also applies to me, I moved from a town down south to Salford on the border with Manchester and I was a bit worried about how I would adjust from being a bit of a country girl. But I have the best of both worlds because my university (Uni of Salford) is only a 25-minute walk or 5–10-minute train/bus ride from Manchester city centre and then I can return home to Salford, which is very green, where I live is next to lots of public fields and football pitches.

All the above advice is brilliant. I would just add that it is worth making a list of things you would like to do in your new city during your degree e.g., visiting art galleries, and museums, going to a big shopping centre, watching a musical at a theatre, going to a live music gig or concert. Then see which of your friends you’ll have made fancy going along with you.

It is always worth chatting to students in the years above to see where they’d recommend and to get the best student deals.

I recommend doing things in bite-size chunks as it can be quite overwhelming not only starting at university, often moving away from home for the first time, being with a totally new group of people, but also being in a new city and environment. If you are studying for an undergraduate degree, you will be in that area for a minimum of three years usually so plenty of time to explore.

Hopefully, this is helpful! Best of luck to anyone starting a course in a brand-new city this September!

Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)

Reply 3

University of Portsmouth Student Rep

Original post by Liverpool Hope Student Ambassador

Hey guys,
To provide a little bit of context, I moved to Liverpool from a small village on the border of Stoke/Cheshire and when I first moved here i found the first week a little overwhelming. I know many students feel the same or may have some worries regarding moving to a bigger/busier place, so I thought I’d pop on here to share some tips on making the transition a little bit easier!
Tip One: Get to know the immediate area by your accommodation.
This seems a little bit obvious but on your first day I’d recommend just taking a walk around campus and the surrounding area just to get your bearings! Finding the nearest shop, pub, restaurants will be handy! I’d also recommend scoping out where the closest bus stop is to get around the city and downloading any local transportation apps (bus, taxi, train etc).
Tip Two: Have a look for any groups/clubs in the city.
For example, in Liverpool there is a group called girls on the go which provides a safe environment for girls to experience different areas of the city with loads of other girls. I’ve known them to do free events like walking around local parks and picnics, to paid events like pottery painting and coffee shop meet-ups and even general nights out for a drink and a dance! Sports clubs are also a good way of meeting new people, with walking groups and running groups proving popular with people from all walks of life!
Tip Three: Take a trip into the city centre with your flatmates.
As a bit of a bonding experience I’d recommend scoping out the city centre with your flatmates during the daytime to see what it has to offer! Do a bit of window shopping, have some dinner out and get to know the ins and outs of the city as a group!
Does anybody else have any tips they’d like to share?
Billie
Student Ambassador
Liverpool Hope University

Thank you for sharing this, I think this will really resonate with people and is definitely a common worry for a lot of people!

I think it's really good to remember for anyone moving to a city how everyone is in the same boat. With university in general but especially moving to a city based one, you have so many different people from all over the place moving to the area and many are feeling the same way. When you are making this big change in your life, it is easy to feel like an outsider or worry you won't fit in. It's only when you realise that everyone feels the same way does it become easier.

Before moving to Portsmouth, I found it really useful trying to join online groups like Facebook groups to meet people and even though you haven't met these people in person, it felt like a bit of an icebreaker which was really nice and felt less daunting when I arrived on day one. I couldn't agree more with doing activities or joining clubs in the city as it's a great way to find a group of people with similar interests as you and hopefully reduces that stress a bit. The great thing about cities is that there is always so much stuff going on so you will definitely find something that aligns with your interests no matter how niche.

Spend that time getting to know the area as well either by yourself or with friends and flatmates. The scary thing about moving somewhere new and big with a city is feeling lost so making yourself feel more comfortable with your surroundings is a great thing. There is normally some kind of landmark or recognisable building that can help you find your way and offer a comfort that you know where you are.

Good luck to everyone starting in September you are going to have a great time!

Daniel
(University of Portsmouth Student Rep)